Bisphenol A (BPA): Tainting Our Food?

by Shereen Jegtvig

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used to harden plastic that some experts fear may be hazardous.  You’ll find BPA in some hard plastic baby bottles, water bottles, hard plastic microwavable cookware, plastic storage containers and lining aluminum cans.   In large amounts, BPA is toxic and exposing those plastic items to heat increases the amount of BPA released.  The BPA can be absorbed into  the food and the liquids stored in the containers. Last year, the US Food and Drug Administration decided that the amount of BPA that we are normally exposed to every day is not enough to cause any harm.

Some experts have been concerned about the potential danger of this chemical because lab animals exposed to BPA develop health problems.  The evidence supporting the notion that BPA is dangerous is mounting, but not all research in conclusive.  A human study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a correlation between the amount of BPA found in the urine and the likelihood of also having heart disease and diabetes.  The University of Cincinnati published an article entitled BPA May Cause Heart Disease in Women, Research Shows. But I think the title is a bit misleading, since the actual research had nothing to do with human females – the researchers exposed cells extracted from the hearts of female rats directly to BPA.

Does that mean you should stop using plastics? Well, maybe. The problem with a study like the one published in JAMA is that it doesn’t really prove BPA causes heart disease or diabetes, it just shows that people who have more BPA in their systems also had more chronic disease. Maybe because they ate lots of processed packaged foods that just happen to be packaged in BPA hardened plastic. Right now there is more concern with BPA buildup in infants and young children.  The FDA has the authority to regulate the use of plastics containing BPA. As of now, the FDA does not recommend people avoid plastics, but does suggest concerned parents may switch to glass baby bottles.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the FDA is going to review their earlier decision, and on their website, the FDA acknowledges parents’ concerns with plastic baby bottles, although they have not indicated there is any danger to infants.

If you are concerned about your family’s exposure to BPA, the National Institutes of Health has these suggestions:

* Don’t microwave food in plastic polycarbonate food containers. Pyrex is an excellent BPA-free alternative (buy direct).
* Plastic containers that contain BPA usually have a #7 on the bottom.
* Reduce your use of canned foods — cans may be lined with plastic material.
* Use glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers, particularly for hot food or liquids.
* Use baby bottles that are BPA free (buy direct).

You can replace many of your current plastic items with safer plastic products.  Look on the labels that will state the products are BPA-free. For example, Pyrex containers and dishes are made without BPA.

Want to switch from canned vegetables to frozen?  Use our FoodEssentials tool to find the healthiest vegetables with sauces that are easy to prepare and delicious.

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